New Chef From Tel Aviv Takes Over Kitchen at NYC’s Green Fig

Get occasional EXCLUSIVE offers nearby from Mezze Weekly.

Known for modern Israeli cuisine with influences from the Middle East, North Africa and southern Europe, the new year at NYC urban restaurant Green Fig has started with a new menu.

Diners will find inspired dishes from new Chef Yuval Litmanovich who joins the kitchen straight from Tel Aviv, where he worked at some of Israel’s most acclaimed restaurants including Meir Adoni’s Catit, as well as Brasserie. Yuval, whose family roots are Hungarian, also spent time at Barcelona’s Hisop, and San Sebastian’s three Michelin-starred Arzak.

Chef Yuval Litmanovich | Green Fig

For Green Fig’s new menu, Chef Yuval takes inspiration from the Israeli pantry and Mediterranean cooking. An homage to his favorite place in Tel Aviv, the “Ha’Carmel” Market Kebab is a more refined take on traditional street foods with grilled skewers of lamb and beef kebab over diced grilled vegetables accompanied by hummus and tahini, as well as a refreshing salad of radish, parsley and fennel.

For​ a Mediterranean twist on an Italian classic, Mushroom “Risotto” is made with Israeli couscous instead of rice, along with roasted fennel, pastis and Parmigiano Reggiano. Spanish Octopus comes with root vegetable cream and a grape-apple-shallot relish, while Branzino arrives atop a fennel, lemon and burnt eggplant puree with marbled potatoes and labaneh (streained yogurt) from Lebanon.

Perfect for cold-weather comfort are slow cooked Braised Veal Cheek with tricolor carrots, wheat and beef jus and melt-in-your-mouth Pork Belly,over a stew of swiss chard, chickpeas and preserved lemon with a tangy tomato chutney. Vegan King Oyster Steak stars a grilled King Oyster mushroom in porcini stock with freekeh and baby zucchini.

Veal Cheek | Green Fig

A few signatures like The “Not Kosher” BBQ, a traif feast of pork short ribs slathered in house barbecue sauce, za’atar potato wedges and labne; Fried Cauliflowerwith labane tahini, preserved lemon, almonds and mint aioli, and Mezze are still available.

Fried Cauliflower | Green Fig

Green Fig is located at 570 10th Ave, NYC, 4th FL YOTEL. For more information visit its website, greenfignyc.com.